Chief Minister V. Narayanasamy on Monday said he had no issues in seeking Statehood if a majority of the MLAs are not in favour of seeking Special Category Status.
Replying to a debate on the budget, the Chief Minister said even States such as Bihar and Andhra Pradesh were demanding Special Category Status. “That was the reason for me seeking Special Category Status. If the members want Statehood and not Special Category Status, I don’t have any independent views on the subject,” he said.
The Chief Minister was responding to the criticism made by Leader of the Opposition N. Rangasamy and AIADMK legislator A. Anbalagan that the Chief Minister’s demand for Special Category Status would only dilute the cause for getting more powers for an elected government.
Congress president Rahul Gandhi had promised to grant Special Category Status if the party came to power after the next Lok Sabha polls, he said. “Our party will be happy if the Union Territory gets more funds,” Mr. Rangasamy responded to the Chief Minister’s statement on Special Category Status.
While replying to the debate, the Chief Minister said the government was constrained to go slow in implementing schemes because of the hurdles put by the Lieutenant Governor.
‘Files returned’
Returning the files on flimsy grounds would only cause delay in implementing welfare and development works.
“There is no power struggle. We are trying to protect the rights of an elected government.
“If everyone works within their jurisdiction, there will not be any issues,” the Chief Minister said.
In its recent ruling in a case between the Delhi Chief Minister and the Lieutenant Governor in the capital, the Supreme Court had upheld the supremacy of an elected government in a democracy, he said.
After Mr. Rangasamy said the ruling Congress could have become a party to the case in the Supreme Court, the Chief Minister said the government had made an attempt in this regard but jurists in Delhi advised the government to approach the High Court first.
Accordingly, the Parliamentary Secretary to the Chief Minister had filed a petition in the High Court based on the suggestion given by lawyers, he said.
Mr. Rangasamy said there was no different view on getting more powers to an elected government.
“Only when Statehood is obtained, the problems will be sorted out. We should fight for Statehood,” he said.
Pointing out the failures of the government in implementing welfare schemes, he said the government could not put the blame on others and shrug off its responsibilities.